Silas Brees (1784 - 1885)

Provided by Merlin Russell.  Thanks Merlin!

Silas’s parents were John Brees (8 Nov. 1738-24 Mar. 1829) and Hannah Gildersleeve (9 June 1750-15 Jan. 1844) [1, 2].  Silas was born 1 May 1784 [5].

Silas was married to Mary Bennett [3] (18 Mar. 1784-14 Mar. 1850), daughter of Abraham (1742-1795) and Jerusha Wanzer.

Silas is listed as one of the early settlers of Horseheads [6, 3 pg. 344].

On June 25, 1808, Minard was born [1, 2, 5].

The 1810 Tioga Co. census lists Silas Breese (On March 29, 1836, Chemung County was formed from Tioga County).

On June 26, 1810, Zopher was born [1, 2].

Nancy was born c. 1815 [1, 2].

William H. Breese was born about 1817 [1, 2].

Ira Breese was born about 1820 [1, 2].

On March 28, 1822, Ulysses was born [1, 2].

Achilles was born in 1825 [1, 2].

Mary was born about 1828 [1, 2].

On March 29, 1836, Chemung County was formed from Tioga County.

William was born about 1837 [1, 2].

On February 10, 1843, their son Minard died at the young age of 34.  He was buried in the Maple Grove cemetery [5].

Between 1846-48, Silas and D. W. Frost were the Superintendents of the Poor [3, pg. 90].

On March 14, 1850, Mary, his wife died.  Mary is listed in the Mortality Schedule from the 1850 Federal Census of Chemung County.  Mary died from dropsy heart, a condition that had persisted for a year.  She was buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery [5].

Six months later on August 31, 1850, Silas is listed in the 1850 Census, age 62, and occupation as a farmer.  Two of his children, Mary, age 22 and William, age 13 were residing in his home.

Silas died October 5, 1855 and is buried next to his wife and son Minard in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Horseheads, New York.  The three stones are flat on the ground.  Silas’s states:  “SILAS BREES, DIED OCT. 5, 1855, Ag’d 72 y’r, 5 months & 4 days.” [5].

Politically, Silas was a firm supporter of the Democratic Party.  He belonged to the Universalist Church. He was known for his happy and cheerful disposition, and gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him [3].

Sources:

[1] The Michael Shoemaker Book

[2] The Breese Family, 20 Pages

[3] History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler Counties, New York

[4] Mortality Schedule from the 1850 Federal Census of Chemung County

[5] Visit to Maple Grove Cemetery, Horseheads, Chemung County, New York

[6] Pioneers of the Southern Tier by Doris Reynolds Hoiland, 1974